Gay signs as Patriots add depth to defensive backfield
In a football fait accompli, Randall Gay, who joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and ended up starting Super Bowl XXXIX, signed a $1.3 million tender offer yesterday.
Gay, who participated in the Patriots' organized team activities this week, was locked into the tender because he did not receive contract offers from other teams during his window as a restricted free agent. New England issued him an injury waiver to take part in the team's passing camp, which ended yesterday.
"New England is always a professional group and they handle every player and agent in a respectful manner," said Gay's agent, Albert Elias. "It's not a big deal. It's just a mere formality, and we got it out of the way. Randall is looking forward to contributing to the team and helping them win again."
Gay, 25, has been MIA after his outstanding rookie season, during which he started nine regular-season games and all three playoff contests, registering seven passes defended and two interceptions. He ended each of the last two campaigns on injured reserve. In 2005, he played five games, making two starts (one at safety), before an ankle injury put him on IR. Last season, he played in the first three contests before suffering a hamstring injury.
"Randall is very excited to step in and hopefully regain his form from his rookie year," said Elias. "He just wants to do anything to help the team win, whether it's at cornerback or nickel back or safety or special teams. Anything Coach [Bill] Belichick wants him to do, he will do."
The Patriots issued the tender offer to Gay in March. If another team signed him to an offer sheet before the April 20 deadline, that team would have had to surrender a second-round pick, based on the tender, if the Patriots did not match. Gay, one of 10 cornerbacks on the roster, visited the Jets and his former position coach, Eric Mangini, in April, but New York did not make an offer.
Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com. 
